Do We Share the Same Taboos Cultural Influence on Language Choice

ABSTRACT

Taboos are established in a society to avoid adverse consequences for their people, either because they are non-verbal or verbal conduct in violation of a code based on supernatural beliefs or violate the moral code of society. According to Adler (1989), is taboo subject of the environment and they are language-specific. This research was held in U.S. to investigate whether the Chinese and Korean immigrants in a Western society shares no taboos in (1) non-verbal phonologically-related taboos related to death or separation, and (2) verbal animal-linked taboos to describe people. The results show that these Chinese and Koreans share only a phonologically-related taboos - the number "4" connecting with "death" and an animal-related taboos - the "Tiger" for a woman who used negatively to heat hot females .

Introduction

In an intercultural setting requires good communication not only the linguistic and sociolinguistic knowledge of the host language for interaction, but also knowledge about culture and cultural rules, which greatly contribute to the content and process of meaningful communicative interaction (Saville-Troike, 1989) . Most people are motivated to adjust their conversation to express attitudes and intentions towards others. Although individual variation may exist, people will basically select the appropriate language as a means to reduce the cultural differences between them. Knowledge of the language prominent feature of a culture as non-verbal and verbal taboos, rarely discussed in language textbooks or in classrooms as part of the cultural instruction, is probably crucial for the success of communicative interaction (Sheen, 1993).

Taboo subject of the environment. They are language-specific, and therefore they are not universal or timeless (Adler, 1978). In many cases aware of foreign public existence of the rules associated with taboos, after they have wronged them. Those who do not respect these social "rules" may face severe consequences, such as total embarrassment or, as Saville-Troike (1989) have indicated they may be accused of immorality and face social exclusion or even death.

In this paper, two types of Chinese "possible taboos" studied in the context of Korean culture and language: (1) Non-verbal phonologically-related taboos of traditional Chinese society, which is associated with "separation" and "death". Do Chinese and Koreans share these taboos because similar sounds occur so often in their language? (2) Verbal zodiac-animal-related taboos in modern Chinese society. Do Chinese and Koreans share more zodiac-animal-related taboos than either shares with Americans because of the same duties? Data was collected in two ways: questionnaires and interviews.

What is taboo?

The word "taboo" in early contexts were primarily used to induce a breach of good manners.Today the word causes either positions which are outdated and irrational or topics that were considered unmentionable in the past but is now openly discussed (Thody, 1997).

"Taboo" is a word borrowed from Tonga, a Polynesian language. For most people, it refers to "prohibited" or "avoid" behavior, both verbal and non-verbal. A taboo is also an expression of rejecting behavior in a society. Taboos are established, because people believe that such inappropriate will result in harmful consequences for them, either because this non-verbal or verbal conduct in violation of a code based on supernatural beliefs or violate the moral code of society (Wardhaugh, 1992). Where taboos are formed in a country that references to them are taboo, as well (Shen, 1993).

We can see that taboos occur in all types of environments, from ancient to modern society, and at all levels of civilization. The members of each community is mentally and physically trained and shaped by society to respect the "rules" carefully. For example, Westerners wear black to a funeral and white to a wedding. But in the ancient Chinese weddings, a white dress was not allowed to be worn because whites were for a funeral. Therefore, all persons involved had to wear black formal costumes. Later, the color changed to red. Now under Western influence, white is the traditional formal color for brides and grooms sometimes (Shen, 1993).